Training Monday 5/7

[Douglas Higginbottom]

First day back and more fences already up with alledgedly all pitches to be screened off. Today though it was out in the open so we could see everybody working and very interesting to see a few old faces.Specifically Jo ,Caicedo and Kelvin Etuhu plus Shaleum Logan.I think there were 20 in all with the first team squad which of course excluded anyone who had been involved in the world cup ( with the exception of Mark Sertori , one of the physios who went with the England squad but was back on duty today)

They were all in early for the usual pre season tests and by the time I arrived had already got out and no doubt done various warm ups and stretching. They then got into a passing game followed by a game which was actually quite sharp and aggressive given that it was day one of pre season.Mostly I thought they looked pretty good and fit with maybe Lescott and Adebayor looking leanest.Bellers leading as ever when the running was on , Zaba first to take out a player , Micah stopping a pilediver from Bellers and going down in pain so same old same old really.Best tan probably goes to Wayne Bridge and worst tan to Brian Kidd( he said he went to Rhyl!)


Great to see Michael Johnson with the group even if only for the running and warm up stuff. He worked separately with Lombardo when they played games.Platt was around and involved but didn't seem to be taking on a lead coach role . In fact I wouldnt say any coaching was being done at all as it's just first day back and Mancini and his gang were just watching and making mental notes.

The reserves were working away on an adjacent pitch with a few new faces which i will have to find out more about but Guidetti was certainly there.4 keepers on show today were Karius,Neilsen,Gonzalez and Johansen.This Johansen in the younger and taller brother of Tobias who was released at the end of last season.

[Crossie]

Did you manage to Boo David Platt?! lol

[Ted Hughes]

Wehaaaay!

Great to have you back in action Doug.

Proper football not too far away!

[Sister of fu]

Good to have you back Doug ;-)

[blues-clues]

Aaah life returns to normal with a dose of Doug!

It must be nicer to watch them this time of year than in the cold and dark of the winter months. Any news on a pass Doug?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Did you manage to Boo David Platt?! lol

I didn't and if anybody goes along does boo him I will give them a piece of my mind ( and there isn't much there in the first place.)

I have never liked the guy and things that he has said about the club have been out of order but he is working for City now in a key role so he gets my support. He will know and I can assure you the club 100% know , what the City fans think about him and he and they have to deal with that. I for one will be interested to see how he goes about it but while he is part of the team aiming to bring us success I will not be having a go at him and will watch with interest excatly what his coaching role with the team and tactics is.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Aaah life returns to normal with a dose of Doug!

It must be nicer to watch them this time of year than in the cold and dark of the winter months. Any news on a pass Doug?

Still working on it :)

[Ted Hughes]

Did you manage to Boo David Platt?! lol

I didn't and if anybody goes along does boo him I will give them a piece of my mind ( and there isn't much there in the first place.)

I have never liked the guy and things that he has said about the club have been out of order but he is working for City now in a key role so he gets my support. He will know and I can assure you the club 100% know , what the City fans think about him and he and they have to deal with that. I for one will be interested to see how he goes about it but while he is part of the team aiming to bring us success I will not be having a go at him and will watch with interest excatly what his coaching role with the team and tactics is.

Agree. I absolutely hate him but we just have to bite our lips now & hope the bastard turns out to be brilliant at his job.

[johnno]

Great!
How about M.Johnson?
Did he loose weight?

[john@staustell]

Thanks Doug, an institution returns.

Great to hear Jo is firing away

Don't agree with your comments on Platt. This guy crosses all norms of behaviour due to his past conduct and he missed a chance to appeal to us with his website statement, which talked about Mancini and the project, but still couldn't bring himself to utter the word 'CITY'.

He has got homework to do if he wants any backing from me.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Great!
How about M.Johnson?
Did he loose weight?

I recall seeing MJ when he came back last time and picture which defined him then showed a chubby face. NOT this time he looked pretty lean to me.Not 100% fighting fit but pre season stuff will finish that off and as soon as the medics say he clear to go from the injury he will be ready.Then we can see if he can regain that quality we saw all that time ago.

[Sister of fu]

Any nice new training kit Doug??

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Thanks Doug, an institution returns.

Great to hear Jo is firing away

Don't agree with your comments on Platt. This guy crosses all norms of behaviour due to his past conduct and he missed a chance to appeal to us with his website statement, which talked about Mancini and the project, but still couldn't bring himself to utter the word 'CITY'.

He has got homework to do if he wants any backing from me.

All down to opinions as ever. I do agree his initial website statement wasn't great and he has a lot to do but I hope he does it and I won't be throwing all negatives around and attacking him while he goes about trying.

[ant london]

First report of the new season and already a MJ report

Welcome back Mr H

I am very happy that normal service is resumed!

[Blue Blood]

Great!
How about M.Johnson?
Did he loose weight?

I recall seeing MJ when he came back last time and picture which defined him then showed a chubby face. NOT this time he looked pretty lean to me.Not 100% fighting fit but pre season stuff will finish that off and as soon as the medics say he clear to go from the injury he will be ready.Then we can see if he can regain that quality we saw all that time ago.

I'm still of the belief Johnno can make it at the highest level.

I really think if he puts all the injury's behind him he will be vital to us in the future. To me he is a far bigger talent than Stevie, but thats just my opinion :D

Great to have you back doug, cheers once again for a great report!

[Midnight Blue]

Great to see a DH training post! The 2010/11 season is now officially under way.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Great report Doug, good to have you back.

[Grob]

Jo is back! Excellent!

Was he as lazy and languid as ever Doug and did he trip over the ball?

[DoomMerchant]

can't believe it's starting already...fantastic feeling. And they'll be here in the States in just a few weeks. Licking my chops.

Doug -- have you found out how to get Vicky to let you get stowed aboard the plane for the US in a kit bag or something?

cheers

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Jo is back! Excellent!

Was he as lazy and languid as ever Doug and did he trip over the ball?

He didn't look lazy at all but I wasn't really looking to closely at the skills on show for the first session. Caicedo still didn't control the ball too well but it was quite a confined area they were playing in.